Friday, November 29, 2013

An Irish Left Over Classic!

Being Irish I love a great Shepherd's Pie, and this after Thanksgiving pie is one I must definitely try!!


I hope you all had a wonderful Thanksgiving and were able to spend time with family and friends!
Taking a little break this weekend but will be back to blogging about design and a beautiful book review bright and early Monday morning! Enjoy your weekend- Peace!

Ken Burris

Ingredients

Filling
  • 2  teaspoon(s) extra-virgin olive oil
  • 2  large leeks, white and light green parts only, well washed and thinly sliced
  • 1 1/2 cup(s) thinly sliced carrots
  • 3  clove(s) garlic, minced
  • 1/3  cup(s) dry white wine
  • 3  tablespoon(s) all-purpose flour
  • 2  teaspoon(s) chopped fresh sage or 1/2 teaspoon dried, rubbed
  • 2  cup(s) reduced-sodium chicken broth
  • 2  cup(s) diced cooked turkey or chicken (see Tips & Techniques)
  • 1  cup(s) frozen peas
  • 1/4  teaspoon(s) salt
  • Freshly ground pepper to taste
Mashed Potatoes
  • 2  pound(s) potatoes, preferably Yukon Gold, peeled and cut into chunks
  • 3/4  cup(s) nonfat buttermilk (see Tips & Techniques)
  • 1/4  teaspoon(s) salt
  • Freshly ground pepper to taste
  • 1  large egg, lightly beaten
  • 1  tablespoon(s) extra-virgin olive oil

Directions

  1. To prepare filling: Preheat oven to 425°F. Heat 2 teaspoons oil in a large skillet or Dutch oven over medium heat. Add leeks and carrots and cook, stirring, until the leeks soften, about 7 minutes. Add garlic and cook, stirring, 1 minute more.
  2. Pour in wine and stir until most of the liquid has evaporated. Add flour and sage and cook, stirring constantly, until the flour starts to turn light brown, about 2 minutes. Stir in broth and bring to a simmer, stirring constantly, until the sauce thickens and the carrots are barely tender, about 5 minutes.
  3. Add turkey (or chicken) and peas and season to taste with salt and pepper. Transfer the mixture to a deep 10-inch pie pan or other 2-quart baking dish and set aside.
  4. To mash potatoes and bake pie: Place potatoes in a large saucepan and add cold salted water to cover. Bring to a boil over medium heat. Cook, partially covered, until the potatoes are tender, about 10 minutes. Drain and return the potatoes to the pan. Cover and shake the pan over low heat to dry the potatoes slightly, about 1 minute. Remove from the heat.
  5. Mash the potatoes with a potato masher or whip with an electric mixer, adding enough buttermilk to make a smooth puree. Season with salt and pepper. Stir in egg and 1 tablespoon oil.
  6. Spread the potatoes on top of the turkey mixture. With the back of a spoon, make decorative swirls. Set the dish on a baking sheet and bake until the potatoes and filling are heated through and the top is golden brown, 25 to 30 minutes.

Wednesday, November 27, 2013

Happy Thanksgiving!

Wishing everyone a wonderful Thanksgiving and a peaceful time with your families and friends!

Tuesday, November 26, 2013

Leather Fit For A Vegan!

Leather is a staple product in design.  We love the look, the texture and the durability. What happens when you have a client who is  a true vegan in every sense of the word,  yet you need to finish a piece in leather? That is when Joseph Noble Fabric steps in ! Yes, we love Technology Leather by Joseph Noble. It is constructed to look and feel like leather and has 100,000 Wyzenbeek rubs, stain resistant and non fading! The perfect fit for ottomans, banquettes, kitchen and dining chairs etc! Not to mention it is cost efficient as well. Here are some of our favorites from Joseph Noble!

Skinth by Joseph Noble!









Sunday, November 24, 2013

The Fall Centerpiece!

I am thinking about the table and what type of centerpiece I will do this year. Do I keep it simple do I go all out... not sure? I have found some lovely ideas in my search and thought I would share incase anyone else is thinking about their centerpiece too!












Stone Gable blog

Credits: HGTV, Martha Stewart, Pinterest, Ribbons

Saturday, November 23, 2013

The Perfect Shade Of Griege...

When the weather gets chilly and the landscape becomes void of color, for some strange reason I am drawn to GRIEGE! I am not sure if its that calm respite feel it gives a room, especially when you are bundled by a fire but it somehow works for me.  I love Gray and love beige but this tone  meets both needs and is one of my favorites. I think if I ever have another home again it will be done in shades of griege. I hope everyone is staying warm as I see crazy weather patterns across this great country. Have a lovely weekend, and relax to this soothing palette.
I also want to say Thank You so much for all the kind words I received yesterday, there is truly such a kind community out there in the blogging world and I am surrounded by some of the best!

Ashford Griege- Darryl Carter for Benjamin Moore


Griege Onyx- Stone Source


Pinterest

Pinterest

Indulgy


Bath Interior Design  Blog

Pinterest

Pinterest



Elle Decor


GoldenWolves





La Maison Gray

Elle Decor



Friday, November 22, 2013

What Brings You Peace...

It was a week that ended in losses for myself and some close to me.  My Uncle Mick from Ireland passed in his sleep the other day and it was a whirl wind for my poor mother get plane tickets and rush to get there so she could be pay respects to her brother and our family.  So I am ending this week with a  post on images and spaces that inspire peace.  I think that right now the earth and those who live here could use a moment of inner peace or at least have somewhere that they may escape to find it. 
I wish you all a good weekend, life is fragile be kind to others and most of all yourself!




IRELAND


The word 'happiness' would lose its meaning if it were not balanced by sadness.














I Love the light at the top of the stairs.....

All Interior Images are from - 


Wednesday, November 20, 2013

Karen L. Bloch's Book Launch At Urban Zen!

Bare with me I had alot of catching up to do today after being in NYC a bit late last night. I attended the book launch for Karen Lehrman Bloch's book- Inspired Home-Interior's of Deep Beauty!
It was truly a magical evening, and Donna Karan really created a Zen like atmosphere!It was held at "The Urban Zen Store" at 705 Greenwich Street in Manhattan. For those of you who aren't familiar with Urban Zen it was created by Donna Karan and the pieces of furniture, artifacts, and clothing are beautiful works of Art themselves.

According to Donna Karan-Urban Zen is a destination and a sanctuary for globally inspired clothes and objects of desire that seduce the senses and speak to your emotions. Exclusively handmade Balinese furniture. Vietnamese handwork and Italian linens. Haitian treasures. Artisan jewelry. Inspirational books. An ever-evolving collection of art sourced locally as well as from indigenous cultures near and far.
Every element is designed to pay homage to the past as it serves the present and creates a future by giving back to the community. We support the Urban Zen Foundation in its mission to create, connect, and collaborate to raise awareness and inspire change in the areas of well-being, empowering children, and preserving cultures. 

Let me share some of the images from last night's event and just a few of my favorite things available to give a taste of the beauty that is Urban Zen!











THE FURNITURE







 


Artisan's from Haiti have created beautiful accessories, and this promotes jobs and moving forward in rebuilding Haiti!

                                                                 ACCESSORIES








THE CLOTHING

My dream bracelet of Leather and Gold, I must have touched it many times at the store- Gorgeous and Textural!